NBA Playoffs '19

My San Antonio Spurs got knocked out by the two-bit Nuggets so I no longer have a dog in the fight.

Philadelphia vs. Toronto -- Toronto in 676ers are stacked with talent, but I'm just not seeing the team cohesion and I think Brett Brown is a bust of a coach. Embiid is awesome but he dominates the entire flow of the offense and makes the 76ers clunky. Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris just disappear on some nights. Kawhi is phenomenal and has been in this position year after year and is going to win this series with or without the help of his supporting cast. Paskal and Kyle just need to do enough. Where the fuck is Marc Gasol? Does the guy really not have anything left in the tank?

Milwaukee vs. Boston -- Milwaukee in 7I think Milwaukee is soft but they've got such a well rounded and well coached team. If you can somehow convince Eric Bledsoe to come real every game with the drives, it truly does change the dynamic of the game with him and Giannis charging into the paint with wreckless abandon. Boston is going to lose because of Kyrie. I think he's been the problem all regular season. The league loves to paint him out to be a champion and an amazing player but I think he's the second coming of Carmelo Anthony. How cold he can get will be the end of this series.

Golden State vs Rockets -- Golden State in 6I actually put a futures bet at the beginning of the playoffs on Rockets to win it all this year because I liked the odds. Fully knowing that they'd have to play GS in the semis, I thought Harden + Paul + Capela would out grind with physicality and take it in 7. That dreams not dead but I'm less optimistic because every year I forget about how fucking nasty KD is. I don't like the guy, but he's absolutely dialed in right now. It's absolutely demoralizing when you feed him an ISO, you throw a double on him and he's just pulling up and shooting over you. If Curry and Klay go cold, it doesn't even matter. Draymond is fired up too. It's over.

Portland vs Nuggets -- Portland in 6Who ever wins this series will be fed to GS or HOU so it doesn't matter. I enjoyed Dame eating Westbrook's soul in the first round, but that's about as interesting as Portland gets for me. Kanter is a pretty cool story and I forgot how deep Portland's bench is. Jokic is awesome, but the rest of the team blows. Jamal Murray is a scrub who thinks he's an elite SG. Gary Harris took a step down after killing it last year (what happened to him?) and the rest of the team is lack luster. I think the biggest issue for Denver is that if you're down 7 in the fourth quarter, who's going to bring your team back? Jokic is a facilitator so by default, Jamal Murray is that guy. That's why they're getting bounced.

Comments (112)

Honestly think my Sixers can pull it off in 6 or 7. Great adjustments in game 2 - Ben was quiet but matched up well on D, Embiid had the shits, and "Literally Jimmy" showed why we got him. Kawhi looks absolutely incredible but I don't know if he'll be enough.

Saying Bucks in 6 mostly because I believe it and partly because I'd honestly rather play them over Boston if the Sixers do make it. I despise the Celtics but they just know how to beat us.

Couldn't agree more, maybe 7. I personally bet considerably too much on the Raps winning this series. Brett Brown is great at developing talent, but can't make a mid-game adjustment to save his life. The playoffs will continue to be rough for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he was fired if the Raps happen to win. Real question is.... What happens this offseason? Signing Tobias & Butler this offseason will be next to impossible.... Keeping Simmons & Embiid will always create spacing issues. Tough decisions are going to have to be made. I think you're stuck with keeping both and likely never winning a ring here.

Dedline:

Milwaukee vs. Boston -- Milwaukee in 7

Boston in 7. Brad Stevens is too smart to not make some quality adjustments against Giannis going forward. Remember to last year when people were considering him the next Pop? Praying for Eric Bledsoe to play well against Boston for the first time in his career is a rough proposition. Kyrie will take over in clutch time as always. I'm a Lebron guy, but there is no Cleveland championship w/o Kyrie in the clutch.

Dedline:

Golden State vs Rockets -- Golden State in 6

I agree, maybe even in 5? It's sad to see that Chris Paul just isn't the same guy he used to be, the Capela Pick and Roll just isn't working, and Houston not resigning Trevor Ariza is really starting to show. Sad scene.

Dedline:

Portland vs Nuggets -- Portland in 6

That game winner....... Jokic is amazing, he just can't dominate four quarters. He literally has gone multiple quarters this playoffs now w/o scoring a single point. Too streaky for your best player. And Portland's bench? Zach Collins alone has been impressive. I could see them taking the Warriors to 6 Games even?

I hope my Celtics can grab this series from the Bucks and I totally think they can, but even if they do, its not like they're really going to go anywhere this year. You're right about Kyrie, and with or without him I just don't think the team is strong enough to make a serious run. If they win this Series they'll just chug to a likely loss next round, and if they're lucky to make it all the way, GS will just smoke em in 4. It sucks to cus i love basketball and they're a good team, but I just know they've got no shot to win it all. I'm not a huge hockey fan but I've been much more interested in that nowadays, especially with the current series between the Bs and the fucking red hot blue jackets.

I think the Celtics may be able to get past this round and maybe even past Toronto, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they lose in 6 to the Bucks (and I'd fully expect them to lose in 4-5 to GS). There has been too much discontent this year and the young guns are way off their game with too many "scorers" back.

The addition of a broken Hayward (who is getting better by the day but doesn't know when to take over) and a Kyrie (who sometimes tries to play TOO cool and relies on his finesse to take difficult shots that he shouldn't) has done this team no favors. It seems like every game at least one of either Tatum, Hayward or Brown looks lost (there are not enough shots to go around).

The defense on Giannis has actually been great (I'd argue in both games). They just need a body up in Middleton and limit his open looks (tough w Giannis drawing so much attention) -- will be interesting to see if Smart can make it back in time for Game 6 or 7...that could be the difference.

It depends what you look for. I can't stand hockey because the regular season doesn't seem to matter at all and in the playoffs if you have a hot goalie then you can just cause massive upsets. I watch sports for the skill factor and for the best team to win when they play their best. NBA is perfect for me there.

I do not have a prediction on who will win any of these match ups. I primarily have an interest in the Sixers and Raptors Series. The OP is right that the Sixers have lots of talent. With that said, they traded some bench strength for that talent. When the 5 starters are on the floor, they are a terrific team. However, they are vulnerable when the bench comes in to play. This is probably the reason the Sixers do not perform as well versus the Celtics, who have a very strong bench.

Ultimately, I think the Sixers winning depends on how many minutes Embiid can play. He is one of the best centers that I have ever seen. Aside from the normal things that centers usually excel at, he hits about 80% of his foul shots, The problem is that he is frequently injured.

Yep. A 7 foot guy who knocks down 3s ( although I do cringe when he takes a 3) and shoots 80% from the line. He gets to the line a lot... How can you stop him from getting to the line? He is 7 ft tall and may weigh more than the reported 250 lbs.

These finals are teaching hoops fans a lot about basketball that we didn't know before. Like Houston's analytics department is awful, Steve Kerr is the perfect coach for the team he has, the Celtics and Kyrie are a more interesting combo than in recent memory, Giannis has a lot of growth left, and the matchups between teams and Brett Brown is one of pure coaching inheritance of one of the greatest coaches in basketball history.

Houston's analytics team is awful? Please provide some context for this statement.

I'm not sure where your contention with that statement would come from. However, I just mean that they are helping to create a team that is overall less focused on play, more focused on ticky tack calls and trying to play the refs.

1.) what opinion are you referring to?2.) I contend with that statement based on the success the team has had since hiring Morey and the team's ability to pick up other team's "scraps" and make them effective (Brewer a few years ago, Rivers/ Faried this year etc.) - whining about foul calls don't necessarily take away from the effectiveness of the team so I don't understand that statement.

1.) what opinion are you referring to?2.) I contend with that statement based on the success the team has had since hiring Morey and the team's ability to pick up other team's "scraps" and make them effective (Brewer a few years ago, Rivers/ Faried this year etc.) - whining about foul calls don't necessarily take away from the effectiveness of the team so I don't understand that statement.

That LBJ is the best thing ever.

And, Houston's offense is all analytics driven. It's not awful in that it isn't somewhat effective, it's awful in that it's just a weird system. You remove James Harden (even if you put in a different star in his place) and it probably doesn't even hold up.

1.) He remains the 2nd best player ever - why would my opinion on that change?2.) Houston has one superstar and are still the 2nd best team in the west and 2-3 in the league, doesn't that mean the analytics are working? They almost beat 4 all stars last year with one superstar (CP3 is a star now not a superstar)... isn't that evidence that the analytics are working? I am trying to understand your take.

1.) He remains the 2nd best player ever - why would my opinion on that change?2.) Houston has one superstar and are still the 2nd best team in the west and 2-3 in the league, doesn't that mean the analytics are working? They almost beat 4 all stars last year with one superstar (CP3 is a star now not a superstar)... isn't that evidence that the analytics are working? I am trying to understand your take.

LBJ is... ahhh.. leave there.

It's not evidence the analytics are working, that's the problem. Analytics gathers "evidence" to make arguments and complaints on everything, including encouraging James Harden to cheat the game, when he really doesn't need to. James Harden makes the Houston system work, not Houston Rockets Analytics Department.

Either way, it's fun and an excellent exercise on why numbers are just numbers and not the whole story.

Bro this isn't a response - u didn't say anything to rebut my point. Warriors had the #1 (KD), 3(Steph), 4(Klay), and 6 (green) best player in that series last year and should've lost. It's because the Rockets were built analytically with the express purpose of beating them. Harden is one player. Foul "whines" have zero to do with the topic of whether analytics have made them better. Idk why u keep bringing them up. As for LBJ, what's the argument ? who is better than him other than MJ? Is 3 ships not enough? He didn't team up with another MVP like KD. No shaq like Kobe. No kareem like Magic. Yea he had Wade who is closer to Pippen but Wade's prime was done after his first year there. What exactly are you complaining about with regards to his career? That he missed the playoffs after missing 17 games on a garbage can team? Is that supposed to make me reevaluate a 13+ season career? I don't even know why you brought him up.

Bro this isn't a response - u didn't say anything to rebut my point. Warriors had the #1 (KD), 3(Steph), 4(Klay), and 6 (green) best player in that series last year and should've lost. It's because the Rockets were built analytically with the express purpose of beating them. Harden is one player. Foul "whines" have zero to do with the topic of whether analytics have made them better. Idk why u keep bringing them up. As for LBJ, what's the argument ? who is better than him other than MJ? Is 3 ships not enough? He didn't team up with another MVP like KD. No shaq like Kobe. No kareem like Magic. Yea he had Wade who is closer to Pippen but Wade's prime was done after his first year there. What exactly are you complaining about with regards to his career? That he missed the playoffs after missing 17 games on a garbage can team? Is that supposed to make me reevaluate a 13+ season career? I don't even know why you brought him up.

Wait so, D Wade was pretty much washed up when Lebron got there? So, D Wade wasn't that good, he's not one of the all time greats, right?

Maybe that's fair. But that's not what Lebron said in "The Decision". I remember him saying, "not 1, not 2, not 3..." but more championships would be won. So what happened? Are you saying that Lebron is a bad decisionmaker? Does he jump ahead of himself? Does he not think at all before doing? Or does he lack foresight? Is he really not a great basketball mind and is just all talent?

I'm curious on your thoughts about how Lebron said one thing, but was completely wrong. He was supposed to be joining one of the greatest teams assembled with two hall of famers, later adding a 4th, but somehow, it turned out to be a bust because ONLY Lebron was the actual good one on the team.

And, you sound so salty about Houston last year. You should join the Analytics team over there, maybe you can find an extra 5-6 points to tack onto the 18 you lost and make your complaint a little louder. Basketball minds can see D'Antoni is a POS coach and Steve Kerr simply has him outmatched.

These playoffs have been pretty good. Damian Lillard's face when he hit that ridiculous game winner is an instant classic. Pretty amazing that everyone can enjoy the playoffs this much when its pretty much certain that the warriors are gonna win it all. Makes you wonder how much we could enjoy it in the coming years if KD leaves to the dumpster fire that is the Knick's effectively leveling the playing field for everyone.

I don't think the playing field will be leveled for everyone due to KD's departure, if anything it will just get rid of the current super team that is the Warriors. Based on the upcoming free agents and results of the playoffs so far, I feel like the Warriors, Raptors, and even Celtics won't be as good of a team next year, while teams like the Clippers are definitely setting themselves up to do great things. However, I don't see the outlook for teams like the Cavs, Hornets, Pelicans, etc being too favorable. The bottom teams rn can only hope for young talent to develop, which is really a toss up. At least for the coming few seasons, I think the contrast between the top and bottom teams will still be pretty evident

I'm a fun guy. Obviously I love the game of basketball. I mean there's more questions you have to ask me in order for me to tell you about myself. I'm not just gonna give you a whole spill... I mean, I don't even know where you're sitting at

Bottom teams come up every once in a while and then people hate them. How quickly people forget GS is not a top-tier landing spot for free agents, they just got lucky/good management.

Bucks are a "bottom team" as well from a market perspective.

Cavs had their time in the sun. MJ has messed up the Hornets way worse than Magic did with the Lakers. He STILL hasn't understand that you don't draft un-athletic white dudes. Pelicans are probably the bottom of the bottom in terms of tiers of teams. I would peg them as the number 1 option to be moved to Seattle.

Giannis is looking like regular season Giannis. He's getting into the paint with two - three guys on him and he doesn't give a shit. Has he arrived? Kyrie had a better game, but he's by no means dominant (8/22, -7). He's incapable of being a #1 option.

Kawhi is an absolute animal. I was debating with buddies that Kawhi > KD in free agency next year when you take into account their age (Kawhi = 27, KD = 30). It broke my heart when he left my Spurs, but I take solace that he's a product of our organization.

Is Steph hand messed up from the finger dislocation? Is KD's heavy shot load throwing off the team chemistry? I'm grasping for straws, but I would LOVE for this to go Game 7. But I'm still not seeing enough Chris Paul + Capela. D'antoni has made shit for adjustments to get these guys more involved.

Giannis is amazing, I love him and he just keeps getting better. His three pointer is improving too. I think the Bucks win in 6 and it would've been 5 if they had Brogdon.

Kawhi is a killer, ridiculous. Especially against a team as long and defensively solid (Simmons, Butler, Embiid are all great defenders) as the Sixers. This series comes down to Embiid's health though. Raptors just don't have enough if he's healthy. Would've likely been over in 5 if he were.

Rockets will tie it up tonight (I hope). They should've taken game 1. I agree that Capela needs to seriously improve and Paul needs to take more on, although Eric G has done a great job filling the void averaging 27 ppg for the series.

Portland/Denver as been a good series but yea not really passionate about it.

Rockets will tie it up tonight (I hope). They should've taken game 1. I agree that Capela needs to seriously improve and Paul needs to take more on, although Eric G has done a great job filling the void averaging 27 ppg for the series.

Ask and ye shall receive, knock and the door will open! How sweet it is!

Sixers look done, they seriously need to evaluate paying Simmons when his rookie deal is up. He will demand the max but it's clear he is not a max player - the postseason says it all. The team is too dependent on Embiid and that's b/c Simmons doesn't have what it takes to fill the void when he is out. Jimmy B and Tobias Harris are largely doing their part.

Celtics are done, Kyrie isn't a #1 on a championship team and that's clear. It should've been clear to people when he couldn't run the Cavs offense whenever LBJ sat in the past few seasons. Cavs offense was consistently in shambles at that time. He isn't a point guard.

Nuggets v. Blazers still going 7

I hope my Rockets win tonight but Warriors will probably take this and then Rockets will take 6 at home. We will see what happens in game 7. I hope I am wrong and Rockets get it tonight!

It's a shame the WCF is likely to be terrible. ECF is going to be great.

I don't know if the WCF will be terrible... the Warriors and Rockets are emptying the shotgun to win this series and are playing very physically with a ton of minutes for their starters and it'll probably go 7 games... they might be exhausted once it's over and limp into the WCF allowing Denver or Portland to take a game or two. Could end up being a 6 game series in the WCF with GS/Rockets still prevailing

The Sixers are not done yet! With that said, it will be very difficult for them to win in Toronto. I agree with you on Simmons. He is exciting to watch but his fundamentals need some improvement. His foul shots are a significant issue.

Unreal shot. Kawhi carried that entire series. I miss him so much :'(.

Philly's got too many beta boys scared to mess up their FG%. Toronto shot +24 FGs. Hats off to Kawhi. Dude knows how to win and is not afraid to take the big shots. He's got a lot similar to Jordan & Kobe.

I'm heartbroken. We just didn't do what it takes in crucial close game situations unfortunately. Oh well. Let's see what Morey cooks up this off-season because other teams are getting stronger and it seems like our window was last year. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I fared well on NBA Semi series calls. The ECF / WCF series lines out yet and I don't see them being even half as juicy as the Semis.

Golden State vs. Portland -- Golden State in 6

If KD was healthy, it would be GS in 4. Game 6 in Houston might was an amazing showing of championship caliber team play. No KD, no Boogie, no homecourt = no problem??? Steph, Klay, Draymond and IGGY is plenty 'nough to take care of business this round. 3J saved Game 7, but god that was an ugly series. The media played up the 4OT game but I promise you nobody the fans of those teams stayed up to finish that snoozefest. After watching this series, this is the same Portland team of years past: the gaurds still go ice cold and they have no SF/PF play. Steph out shoots Dame, Klay neutralizes 3J and Portlands bench flails around without purpose from Terry Stotts. The WCF was GSW vs HOU; this is the victory lap on the way to the finals.

Milwaukee vs Toronto -- Milwaukee in 6

Game 1 + Boston fans actually had us thinking they could have taken that last series, but the emperor had no clothes (fuck you Kyrie) and Giannis had his coming out party. What makes this team very good is when Bledsoe shows up for a full 48 minutes. You only need one guy out of Middleton / Mirotic / Lopez to have a exceed expectations to put them in position to win, but Bledsoe has this intangible brutality (like Giannis) that needs to be excerted to really break the soul of the other team. Brogdon is coming back but I don't think that matters with how well George Hill is playing. Kawhi means more to Toronto than Giannis does to Milwaukee. I didn't see anything remotely impressive from anyone else on Toronto the entire series vs PHI. Lowry is a pussy, Gasol has lost confidence in his offensive abilities? and Paskal is too young. Actually, I'd love VanVleet as a backup PG on my team. But if I were a Toronto fan, I'd be terried because every single player on my team, in classic Toronto fashion, dissapears in pressure situations. This team has been scared of the moment for the past decade. I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out who the fuck Nick Nurse is? Look for Bud and the boys to take care of business here. Look for Toronto to be a bonafide rebuild when Kawhi takes his talents to LA next season.

I had my sharp money on a Rockets title this year. I thought Harden was even better this year, they saved CP3 for the playoffs, they reloaded with Austin Rivers + Kenneth Faried and Eric Gordon + PJ Tucker rounded out into consistent contributors. I still can't believe they lost Game 6. Sure Kerr out coached D'antoni but what I think it's really about is the soul of the team -- Harden and Paul. I could speculate for hours based on their respective playoff CVs but they're missing something mentally. They've turned into what the Toronto Raptors were for LeBron James (albeit Kyle Lowry + Demar DeRozan are blatant mental midgets). The monkey is now on their back and it's a bitch to get off.

As for GSW / POR, I'm with you. I'll be following KD's injury status closer for the inevitable and totally badass matchup of MKW vs GS.

*Lowry is a pussy, Gasol has lost confidence in his offensive abilities? and Paskal is too young. Actually, I'd love VanVleet as a backup PG on my team. But if I were a Toronto fan, I'd be terried because every single player on my team, in **classic Toronto fashion, dissapears in pressure situations. ***

Hats off to the Raptors. Obviously it's all part of the game so I'm not trying to subtly throw shade but it really blows how both KD and Klay got injured, wonder if the outcome would've been different if otherwise.